Campaign to install a safe crossing in London Street

Eleanor McLaughlin and her daughter Charlotte, 3, pictured at the spot where they were clipped by the car.

Published:15:00Thursday 13 October 2016

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A horrifying near miss has urged a Pocklington mum to campaign for a safe crossing for parents and children heading to school.

Eleanor McLaughlin, of Barmby Road, along with other concerned parents, is campaigning for a zebra crossing to be put in place in London Street.

Heavy goods vehicle mounts kerb to pass another large vehicle

She was walking to school, on Friday October 7, hand in hand with her three-year-old daughter Charlotte when she went to cross the busy road.

With cars parked on yellow lines she struggled to see if there was oncoming traffic over the top of the vehicles.

A bus had stopped on her left so Mrs McLaughlin stepped out to peer around the car to check traffic in the opposite direction.

“My daughter just came up next to me and kept going into the road,” said the mum-of-two. I had a hold of her hand and I pulled her back and obviously it was a close enough call that I was pretty upset about it.”

The car had clipped Charlotte’s hand and foot but thankfully she was uninjured.

“Everybody has a story to tell about the crossing, they have either seen or had a near miss themselves,” said Mrs McLaughlin.

Earlier this week, she witnessed two heavy goods vehicles try to manoeuvre down the path which caused one vehicle and other cars to mount the pavement.

Mrs McLaughlin is now looking to set up a petition to present to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Mrs McLaughlin, 33, said she sympathises with the people who live on the street who should be able to park there, but says something should be done to make it safer to cross and that cars should not be parked on the yellow lines. “It was a horrible moment,” said Mrs McLaughlin. “What will it take before something is done about it? We should not have to wait until someone has a serious accident.”

Both Pocklington Town Council and Pocklington Ward Councillor Andy Strangeway have shown their support calling for a new crossing.

An East Riding of Yorkshire Council spokesperson said: “The council has received requests for a zebra crossing, and this has been added to our Local Transport Plan programme this year for design and consultation.

“The crossing is likely to be introduced this financial year, subject to consultation.

“As an interim measure, we will place some no waiting cones opposite the entrance to the path. We would also remind all road users that they must park legally, and in accordance with all parking restrictions in any given location. If anybody has any concerns about parking issues, we would encourage them to contact the council, and we will investigate those concerns.”

Cones are now in place in London Street.

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